Crank handle



May 8, 1928.

F. J. WEKWERT CRANK HANDLE Filed Aug. 29. 1927 Patented May 8, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK J. WEKWERT, 0F BAYONNE NEW JERSEY.

CRANK HANDLE.

Application filed August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216,196.

The present invention relates'to improvements in crank handles such asare commonly used in cranking an internal combustion engine.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide acrank handle wherein a cranking wheel is associated with the usual handengaging portion of the crank in such a manner as to prevent anypossibility of the operator sustaining injury should the internalcombustion engine back fire while being cranked.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crank handle which issimple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further welladapted to the pur pose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals indicate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the crank handle embodying my invention,and

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the cranking wheel.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodimentof my invention, the numeral 1 designates generallythe crank handle which is of the conventional construction, the samebeing provided with the pin engaging member 2 on one end whichcooperates with the pins or studs of the crank shaft of the internalcombustion engine in the manner well known in the art.

The usual hand engaging portion 3 of the crank is in the presentinstance formed with a longitudinal bore whereby said hand engagingportion is rendered hollow, and the purpose thereof will be presentlydescribed.

Extending loosely through the bore of the hand engaging portion 3 is theshaft 4:. A cranking wheel or disc 5 is secured on the outer end of thisshaft for disposition adj acent the outer end of the hand engagingportion 3 of the crank 1 and as is clearly illustrated in. Figure 2 thecranking wheel is of a solid construction.

A cotter pin or the like shown at 6 extends through the inner end of theshaft 4 through a suitable opening provided therefor for preventing thedisplacement of the shaft from the hand engaging portion 3.

The manner in which the operator grasps the cranking wheel 5 while inthe act of actuating the crank handle to start the internal combustionengine is shown in the dotted lines in Figure 1, and it will be observedthat the arm of the. operator is entirely out of the path of movement ofthe hand engaging portion 3 of said crank handle, thereby preventing anypossibility of the operator sustaining injury should a back fire occurduring the cranking of the engine.

The simplicity of my improved crank handle enables the same to beconstructed at a very low cost and furthermore the crank ing wheel willnot present an unsightly appearance and will furthermore at all times bepositive and eliicient in carrying out the purposes for which it isdesigned.

While I have. shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it'is tobe understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is:

In a crank handle, wherein the usual hand engaging portion thereof ishollow, a shaft extending loosely througl'i the hand engaging portion, acranking wheel secured on the outer end of the shaft, and meanscarriedby the inner end of the shaft for preventing the casualdisplacement of the shaft from the crank handle. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK J. WEKWERT.

